VISIT TO VILLA: Sultan of Sokoto ‘honestly believes Nigeria will come out of current challenges stronger’

*As he leads Islamic Council on visit to Tinubu in Aso Rock

*President gives reason why war in Niger may be inevitable but…

By KEMI KASUMU

In Abuja on Thursday August 31, 2023 the President of the Federal Repubmic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, received a delegation of the nation’s apex Islamic body, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

The DEFENDER reports that the delegation was led to the Villa by Sultan of Sokoto and NSCIA President General, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who reiterated his Muslim Ummah’s commitment to supporting the Tinubu’s government since, according to him, a leader – once he comes on seat – becomes the God-chosen than no one has a choice but to accept.

The Sultan, during the visit, said he honestly believed that Nigeria would come out of its current challenges, stronger.

He then pledged “100 percent loyalty” to the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu-led government, affirming that a leader can only reach a position by the will of God, and not man.

The world class multifaceted leader assured President Tinubu that the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs would be available to advise and support him to realise his dream for the country.

The monarch said this as he went spiritual telling his host to prioritise justice and fairness to all because, according to him, “God will hold all leaders to account, in justice and fairness.”

He suggested that the distribution of palliatives across the country should be monitored and augmented, where it fails to reach some of the targetted beneficiaries, who remain in dire need.

“I honestly believe we will come out of the challenges stronger,” the Sultan of Sokoto concluded.

Responding, President Bola Tinubu appreciated the role Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar has played in ensuring normalcy in West Africa with particular mention of Republic of Niger.

It will be recalled that Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, a retired General of the Nigerian Army, is prominent figure on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)’s delegation charged with responsibility to engage the military government of General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who is currently the Military Head of State of the Republic of Niger.

Commenting on the effort of the envoy diring the Islamic Council’s visit on Thursday, President Tinubu said all diplomatic options would be exhausted with military government of the Francophone country before any last resort of military intervention comes into the picture.

The President said this while insisting that any forceful removal of a democratic government remains “wholly unacceptable.”

He noted that the alternative of kinetic intervention in Niger Republic had not been jettisoned but appealed to the Sultan not to be tired as he still has more assignments to be done in the neighbouring country, especially now that military takeovers in West Africa has spread to Central African region’s Republic of Gabon where President Alli Bongo fell out of power early morning of Wednesday August 30.

According to President Tinubu, “I must thank you for your several visits to Niger Republic, Your Eminence, but you will still have to go back. My fear has been confirmed in Gabon that copy cats will start doing the same thing until it is stopped.

“We are neighbours with Niger Republic, and what has joined Nigerians together with their great people cannot be broken.

“Nobody is interested in a war. We have seen the devastation in Ukraine and Sudan. But, if we don’t wield the big stick, we will all suffer the consequences together,” the President warned.

President Tinubu noted that Nigeria, under General Abdulsalami Abubakar, instituted a nine-month transition programme in 1998, and it proved very successful, leading the country into a new era of democratic governance. The President sees no reason why such cannot be replicated in Niger, if Niger’s military authorities are sincere.

“Your Eminence, please don’t get tired, you will still go back there. The soldiers’ action is unacceptable. The earlier they make positive adjustments, the quicker we will dial back the sanctions to alleviate the sufferings we are seeing in Niger,” the President affirmed.

On the hardship faced by many Nigerians post-fuel subsidy removal, the President assured that all ongoing reforms will liberate and reposition the economy, which will benefit the majority of the population in terms of opportunities, infrastructure, healthcare and education.

“Nigeria is headed for a promise. Our diversity will turn into prosperity, not adversity. We will build a country that our children will be proud of,” the President assured.

The President told the delegation that the Federal Government had opened talks with State Governments to provide land for the proper sustenance of animals with a view to developing pan-national animal husbandry and agro-allied production and processing facilities for mass export, job creation and revenue generation.

“If Nigeria is still looking for vaccines for basic health issues; if infant and maternal mortality is rampant, then we should examine ourselves. I will commit to consulting with other leaders, like the NSCIA, and we will meet the needs of our people,” he said.

In his contribution at the meeting, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the President had budgeted N50 billion to support the ongoing rebuilding of lives and property in the North West and North East, and with a new focus on dialogue to address security challenges.